Backpack strap with light

ABSTRACT

The present invention is a flash light storage system for a backpack. The backpack includes a pocket attached to a strap of the backpack. A base of the flash light is secured within the pocket and a moveable joint is provided to connect the base to a headlamp that has a variable orientation to the base through the moveable joint. Preferably, the moveable joint includes a flexible neck having a retracted position and an extended position. The headlamp has a pocketed position when the flexible neck is retracted and the pocket is closed, and the headlamp has an exposed position when the pocket is opened and the flexible neck is extended from the pocket.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

Not Applicable.

STATEMENT REGARDING FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH

Not Applicable.

APPENDIX

Not Applicable.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to a storable flash light system and, more particularly, to a backpack having a storable light source attached thereto.

2. Related Art

Hikers, campers, and others involved in outdoor activities frequently require a source of light to aid in their activities. Moreover, students and/or tourists may also benefit from having a readily accessible source of light. Specifically, the light is useful in reading maps, reading instructions, and/or performing other activities that may take place in an area having a limited amount of light. Generally, it is necessary for such a light to be easily accessible and substantially hands free. Accordingly, handheld flash lights are typically of little use because they utilize at least one hand of the user and are not readily accessible after being stored in the user's pack or pocket.

Rather than carrying a handheld flash light, several flash lights are available that either clip to a user's clothing or are worn on the user's body. Unfortunately, these flash lights are not very well protected and can be exposed to undesirable elements when not in use, especially when the light in used in conjunction with an outdoor activity. The light may also become detached from the user and easily break. In addition, such lights may be extremely cumbersome and impractical. For example, the light may not be easily positioned in a desired direction when in use and/or the light may be heavy and uncomfortable on the user's body or clothing.

Accordingly, it is a goal of the present invention to provide a light that is easily accessible, hands free, easily positionable when in use, and capable of being stored in a protected environment when not in use.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention is a backpack that includes a support strap and a pocket attached thereto. The pocket has an open configuration and a closed configuration and is configured to store a light source in the closed configuration. The light source includes a base and a headlamp having a variable orientation to the base through a moveable joint that connects the base to the headlamp. The base is secured within the pocket such that the headlamp has a pocketed position when the pocket is closed and an exposed position when the pocket is open.

Preferably, the moveable joint includes a flexible neck having a retracted position and an extended position. When the flexible neck is in the retracted position, it is enclosed within the pocket, and when the flexible neck is in the extended position at least a portion of the flexible neck is outside the pocket. When the flexible neck is extended, the headlamp has a variable orientation that includes a plurality of selectable directions relative to the support strap of the backpack.

Further areas of applicability of the present invention will become apparent from the detailed description provided hereinafter. It should be understood that the detailed description and specific examples, while indicating the preferred embodiment of the invention, are intended for purposes of illustration only and are not intended to limit the scope of the invention.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The present invention will become more fully understood from the detailed description and the accompanying drawings, wherein:

FIG. 1 is a schematic illustration of a storable flash light system;

FIG. 2 is a schematic illustration of the pocket shown in FIG. 1 in a closed configuration;

FIG. 3 is a schematic illustration of the pocket shown in FIG. 1 in an open configuration;

FIG. 4 is a schematic illustration of the preferred embodiment of the storable flash light system shown in FIG. 1, wherein the headlamp is in a pocketed/stored configuration; and

FIG. 5 is a schematic illustration of the storable flash light system shown in FIG. 4, wherein the headlamp is in an extended configuration.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

The following description of the preferred embodiment(s) is merely exemplary in nature and is in no way intended to limit the invention, its application, or uses.

As generally shown in FIGS. 1-5, the present invention relates to a storable flash light system 10 preferably consisting of a backpack 12, a pocket 16, and a light source 18. Backpack 12 includes a stowage compartment 58 having an interior space 64 and an exterior side 66. The exterior side 66 includes a top 68, a bottom 70, a dorsal side 60, a ventral side 62, and a lateral side 72 and an opposing lateral side 74. The stowage compartment 58 also includes an opening 76 and a closure 78 attached to and configured to seal opening 76.

Backpack 12 further includes a support strap 14 that includes a sling strap, a shoulder strap, a pair of shoulder straps, or any combination thereof. Support strap 14 is attached to the stowage compartment 58 proximate to the ventral side 62. Specifically, the support strap 14 has an upper portion 80 that is attached to the stowage compartment 58 proximate to the top 68 and the ventral side 62, and support strap 14 has a lower portion 82 that is attached to the stowage compartment 58 proximate to the bottom 70 and the ventral side 62. Support strap 14 could also be attached to stowage compartment 58 in various other configurations.

Pocket 16 is attached to the support strap 14. In an alternative embodiment, pocket 16 could be attached to any other portion of backpack 12, such as the exterior side 66 of stowage compartment 58 or within the interior space 64 of stowage compartment 58. Further, as will be appreciated by one of ordinary skill in the art, pocket 16 is not limited to being attached to backpack 12, but could also be attached to an article of clothing and/or other accessories carried by or worn by a person.

Pocket 16 includes an interior 40, an exterior 54, an opening 56 and a closure 52 attached to and configured to seal the opening 56. Preferably, closure 52 is a flap 50, a zipper 88, or a combination thereof. Closure 52 could also be a button, a buckle, hook and loop fasteners, or any combination thereof. Pocket 16 has an open configuration 30 (shown in FIG. 3) that corresponds to closure 52 being open, and a closed configuration 32 (shown in FIG. 2) that corresponds to closure 52 being closed. When pocket 16 is in the closed configuration 32, light source 18 is stored and protected therein. For example, when flap 50 is closed, flap 50 covers, stores, and protects a base 20, a headlamp 22 and a moveable joint 24 of light source 18. When pocket 16 is in the open configuration 30, light source 18 is exposed.

Light source 18 includes a base 20 and a headlamp 22 that has a variable orientation to the base 20 through a moveable joint 24 that connects the base 20 to the headlamp 22. Base 20 is secured within pocket 16. Headlamp 22 has a pocketed/stored position 34 (shown in FIGS. 2 and 4) and an exposed position 36 (shown in FIGS. 3 and 5) with respect to pocket 16. Specifically, when pocket 16 is in the closed configuration 32, headlamp 22 is stored and protected within pocket 16 and is not exposed. When pocket 16 is in the open configuration, headlamp 22 is capable of being or is exposed.

In a preferred embodiment, moveable joint 24 is a flexible neck 24 a that has a retracted position 42 and an extended position 44. Flexible neck 24 a is coupled to a base 20 a that is slidably contained within a sleeve 26 attached within the interior 40 of pocket 16. Flexible neck 24 a retracts and extends by sliding base 20 a through sleeve 26. Specifically, flexible neck 24 a extends by sliding base 20 a toward a top 92 of sleeve 26, and flexible neck 24 a retracts by sliding base 20 a toward a bottom 94 of sleeve 26. Base 20 a includes a stop 28 that is provided to retain base 20 a within the sleeve 26 as base 20 a is slidably moved through sleeve 26.

When flexible neck 24 a is in the retracted position 42, flexible neck 24 a can be enclosed and protected within pocket 16 by placing pocket 16 in the closed configuration 32. Accordingly, when pocket 16 is in the closed configuration 32, headlamp 22 is in the pocketed position 34. Although FIG. 4 illustrates flexible neck 24 a in a bent configuration while in the retracted position 42, flexible neck 24 a could have any variety of configurations when placed in the retracted position 42. When pocket 16 is in the open configuration 30, at least a portion 46 of flexible neck 24 a can extend outside pocket 16 by placing flexible neck 24 a in the extended position 44. Accordingly, when pocket 16 is in the open configuration and flexible neck 24 a is in the extended position 44, headlamp 22 is in the exposed position 36.

When flexible neck 24 a is in the extended position 44, headlamp 22 has a variable orientation that includes a plurality of selectable directions (indicated by arrows 48) relative to the support strap 14. Specifically, flexible neck 24 a enables headlamp 22 to translate in three dimensions, rotate in three dimensions, or move in any combination thereof. Flexible neck 24 a has a degree of stiffness that retains headlamp 22 in position after headlamp 22 has been moved into a particular position.

Light source 18 also includes a bulb 84, a power source 86, such as a battery, and a power switch 90. Bulb 84 may be any one of a light emitting diode (LED), an incandescent bulb, a fluorescent bulb, or any other known bulb or any combination thereof. In the example embodiment, bulb 84, power source 86, and power switch 90 are positioned within headlamp 22, which is configured to open so that bulb 84 and power source 86 can be replaced. Accordingly, bulb 84, power source 86, and power switch 90 can be enclosed within pocket 16 when pocket 16 is in the closed configuration 32, and bulb 84, power source 86, and power switch 90 can be positioned outside pocket 16 when the pocket 16 is in the open configuration 30. Alternatively, bulb 84, power source 86, and power switch 90 can be permanently housed within pocket 16.

As various modifications could be made to the exemplary embodiments, as described above with reference to the corresponding illustrations, without departing from the scope of the invention, it is intended that all matter contained in the foregoing description and shown in the accompanying drawings shall be interpreted as illustrative rather than limiting. Thus, the breadth and scope of the present invention should not be limited by any of the above-described exemplary embodiments, but should be defined only in accordance with the following claims appended hereto and their equivalents. 

1) A backpack comprising: a support strap; a pocket attached to said support strap, said pocket having an open configuration and a closed configuration; and a light source comprising a base and a headlamp, wherein said base is secured within said pocket and wherein said headlamp has a pocketed position corresponding with said closed configuration of said pocket and an exposed position corresponding with said open configuration of said pocket. 2) A backpack according to claim 1, wherein said light source further comprises a moveable joint connecting said base to said headlamp, wherein said headlamp has a variable orientation to said base through said moveable joint. 3) A backpack according to claim 2, wherein said moveable joint is comprised of a flexible neck, wherein said flexible neck has a retracted position and an extended position, wherein said flexible neck is enclosed within said pocket in said retracted position, wherein at least a portion of said flexible neck is outside said pocket in said extended position, and wherein said variable orientation of said headlamp is comprised of a plurality of selectable directions relative to said support strap according to said extended position of said flexible neck. 4) A backpack according to claim 1 further comprising a sleeve fixed within said pocket, wherein said base is slidably contained within said sleeve. 5) A backpack according to claim 4, wherein said base further comprises a stop to retain said base within said sleeve. 6) A backpack according to claim 1, wherein said support strap further comprises a pair of shoulder straps. 7) A backpack according to claim 1, wherein said pocket further comprises a flap and a closure. 8) A storable flash light system comprising: a pocket comprising an interior, an exterior, an opening and a closure attached to said opening, wherein said interior comprises a sleeve, and wherein said closure has an open configuration and a closed configuration; a base slidably contained within said sleeve, wherein said base comprises a stop to retain said base within said sleeve; a headlamp attached to said base, wherein said headlamp has a stored position corresponding with said closed configuration of said closure and an exposed position corresponding to said open configuration of said closure. 9) A storable flash light system according to claim 8 further comprising a moveable joint connecting said base to said headlamp, wherein said headlamp has a variable orientation to said base through said moveable joint. 10) A storable flash light system according to claim 9, wherein said moveable joint is comprised of a flexible neck, wherein said flexible neck is enclosed within said pocket when said closure is in said closed configuration, and wherein at least a portion of said flexible neck extends outside said pocket when said closure is in said open configuration. 11) A storable flash light system according to claim 8, wherein said closure is selected from the group consisting of a flap, a zipper, and a combination thereof. 12) A storable flash light system according to claim 11, wherein said flap covers said base and said headlamp when said flap is in said closed configuration. 13) A storable flash light system according to claim 8 further comprising a support strap, wherein said pocket is attached to said support strap. 14) A storable flash light system according to claim 13 further comprising a backpack, wherein said support strap is attached to said backpack. 15) A backpack comprising: a stowage compartment comprising a dorsal side and a ventral side; a support strap attached to said stowage compartment proximate to said ventral side, said support strap comprising a pocket having an open configuration and a closed configuration; and a light source comprising a base, a headlamp and a moveable joint connecting said base to said headlamp, wherein said base is secured within said pocket, wherein said headlamp has a pocketed position corresponding with said closed configuration of said pocket and an exposed position corresponding with said open configuration of said pocket, and wherein said headlamp has a variable orientation to said base through said moveable joint. 16) A backpack according to claim 15, wherein said stowage compartment further comprises an interior space and an exterior side, said exterior side comprising a top, a bottom, said dorsal side, said ventral side, and a lateral side and an opposing lateral side, said stowage compartment further comprising an opening and a closure attached to said opening. 17) A backpack according to claim 16, wherein said support strap further comprises an upper portion and a lower portion, wherein said upper portion is attached to said stowage compartment proximate to said top and said ventral side and said lower portion is attached to said stowage compartment proximate to said bottom and said ventral side. 18) A backpack according to claim 15, wherein said moveable joint is comprised of a flexible neck, wherein said flexible neck has a retracted position and an extended position, wherein said flexible neck is enclosed within said pocket in said retracted position, wherein at least a portion of said flexible neck is outside said pocket in said extended position, and wherein said variable orientation of said headlamp is comprised of a plurality of selectable directions relative to said support strap according to said extended position of said flexible neck. 19) A backpack according to claim 15 further comprising a sleeve fixed within said pocket, wherein said base is slidably contained within said sleeve. 20) A backpack according to claim 19, wherein said base further comprises a stop to retain said base within said sleeve. 